Hayes, Kaleida to host annual health fair
by ELIZABETH TAUFA Reporter

Hayes

Assemblyman Jim Hayes, RAmherst, will host a Family Health Fair for all ages from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4 at the Amherst Senior Center, 370 John James Audubon Parkway off of North Forest Road.

"The purpose is to provide my constituents in Amherst and Pendleton with an opportunity to get information about healthcare," Hayes said. "As a society, we're constantly bombarded with so much news about new developments and lifestyle changes."

Over 80 healthcare providers will spend the morning conducting tests and screenings and providing information to all those who attend.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take advantage of free health screenings and tests including cholesterol screenings, chiropractic spinal exams, hearing checks, glucose tests, blood pressure checks, prostate cancer testing and bone density screenings.

Information about childbirth and prenatal care, the state's affordable prescription drug program, known as EPIC, mammography,

diabetes, organ donation, cardiology and managed healthcare

rights.

There are no reservations necessary for the event, which is co-sponsored by Kaleida Health and many other local health care providers.

Hayes noted that the health fair

is designed to supplement individuals' annual visits, not to replace them and that the fair is beneficial to those with conditions that require regular monitoring, such as diabetes.

This is the ninth year that Hayes and Kaleida have hosted this event for the community.

"It started out with mostly seniors," Hayes said, noting that over the years, more services have been added to address the needs of younger families and children.

Last year's event hosted over 1,400 people and Hayes is expecting over 1,500 this year.

"The amount of free testing has grown exponentially over the years," Hayes said. "We have such a wide variety, that people can return each year because we have a number of new programs."

For more information, call Hayes' district Williamsville office at 634-1895.

e-mail: etaufa@beenews.com